TORONTO 108, LAKERS 103: Eh? L.A.'s 'issues' continue to plague it north of the border

TORONTO - The Lakers couldn't escape from the problems that have plagued them all season. It also appeared they didn't bring much energy along with their luggage over here, either. | PHOTOS

The Lakers' 108-103 loss Sunday to the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre featured far too many snapshots of another effort gone astray.

"We have too many issues," Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said.

The Raptors stormed out to an 11-2 run. When he wasn't barking at officials, D'Antoni nearly burned all of his timesouts after never-ending defensive lapses allowed Toronto to shoot 54.8 percent from the field.

Lakers center Dwight Howard picked up one technical late in the first quarter after protesting a no-call after driving on a reverse layup. He then received his second ejection of the season late in the second quarter after Toronto's Alan Anderson locked him up.

"They didn't explain," said Howard, whose six technicals this season puts him 10 away from a league suspension. "I didn't do anything to get ejected."

The Lakers (17-23) did plenty, though, in squandering an opportunity to beat a sub.-500 opponent in Toronto (15-26). The Lakers need many of those to climb out of the Western Conference basement. With the Lakers playing nine of their next 12 games away from Staples Center, they have offered no evidence they can improve their 5-13 road record.

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant asked that all the criticism go toward him after scoring 26 points on only 10-of-32 shooting. Bryant attributed the poor marksmanship to "heavy legs" after playing 42 minutes. But he vowed he would adjust his game and enhance his post-game treatment entailing ice baths and massage therapy.

"This team needs me on both ends of the floor," said Bryant, who has taken a larger defensive role in the past week. "So unless they're going to do something roster-wise, I have to continue to push through it."

Does Bryant believe the Lakers' front office needs to make a move?

"No," he said. "Listen, if this is what we're rolling with, I can't make excuses. I have to go out there and do my job."

The Lakers hardly did theirs.

"We were lazy," said Lakers guard Steve Nash, whose 16 points and nine assists and visit to his native Canada was soiled because of it. "We were cutting corners. Not an excuse at all. If anything, it's a warning sign."

Those looking for any silver linings could look at a few things. Earl Clark provided continuous energy once again with his third double-double since entering the rotation (14 points, 14 rebounds). Pau Gasol's second half picked up in production and effort following Howard's ejection, scoring 16 of his 23 points in that time frame. The Lakers chipped away to reduce the game to single digits in the final minutes.

That became mere window dressing that overshadowed the Lakers' long-term issues.

That's why Gasol and Metta World Peace talked extensively after the game in what appeared to be an engaging and constructive conversation. World Peace stressed the need to maintain "positive energy" while Gasol brought up "improving communication."

"We have to come to an understanding what needs to be done as a unit," Gasol said. "We can't do it on our own."